As Chu Feng and the other juniors approached the Sacred Lotus Tree within the valley, the massive trunk of the tree began to sway and dance, as though a hurricane were sweeping through it, tossing it left and right.
Yet there was not even a trace of wind in the area.
It was the Sacred Lotus Tree itself that was moving.
Immediately after, all of the bloomed lotuses on the tree released a wisp of aura at the same time. The eighty-eight lotuses each emitted a distinctly different aura.
Those auras merged and intertwined, ultimately forming an enormous gateway of barriers.
The gateway shimmered with seven colors, resplendent and magnificent.
Gazing upon it, the juniors — who had been somewhat dispirited after Chu Feng was enveloped by that column of light — felt their mood lighten a little.
After all, this was said to be the Sacred Lotus Tree's legendary full bloom, and they had all been eagerly anticipating it.
"A full bloom truly lives up to its reputation."
They understood clearly that this barrier gateway was the entrance into the Sacred Lotus Tree. Normally, the gateway never appeared quite so extraordinary.
One by one, the juniors stepped through the barrier gateway, and Chu Feng was no exception.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh —
Once all of the juniors had entered the Sacred Lotus Tree...
Several figures materialized from every direction, landing one after another behind Shengguang Bai Mei and Shengguang Bu Yu.
They were all elders of the Sacred Valley.
It turned out they had never truly left — they had simply concealed themselves using treasures.
"The beam of light that just fell upon Chu Feng — did you observe it carefully? Was there anything unusual about it?"
Shengguang Bai Mei asked.
"Reporting to Lord Bai Mei — this subordinate observed it carefully and found nothing unusual. It appeared to be merely a form of recognition. It should not have granted Chu Feng any special power."
"I also observed it and can confirm there was nothing out of the ordinary."
Several Spirit World Masters of the Sacred Valley, clad in their Spirit World robes, spoke up.
"Shengguang Bu Yu, what about you? Did you observe it closely?"
Shengguang Bai Mei turned his gaze toward Shengguang Bu Yu.
In terms of barrier techniques alone, Shengguang Bu Yu was among the very top practitioners in the entire Sacred Valley. If he had been watching, his assessment would carry far more weight than those of the robed elders.
"Rest easy. I am a member of the Sacred Valley, after all — I have no reason to side with an outsider."
"I was observing just now as well. In my judgment, that beam of light was perfectly fine."
"But I cannot make absolute guarantees. The power of the Sacred Lotus Tree has always been beyond what we can fully comprehend."
Shengguang Bu Yu said.
"Now that's what I call a carefully worded answer."
Shengguang Bai Mei let out a cold snort.
"I'm simply stating facts."
"Lord Bai Mei, are you still not at ease?"
"Didn't you seal Chu Feng's cultivation with a Purple Flow Seal Lock? Even if you don't trust me, surely you trust the Purple Flow Seal Lock?"
"Besides, our Sacred Valley's juniors are the most talented and resourceful generation in many years."
"Even Miss Meng Lai is among them. Surely they can handle one Chu Feng whose cultivation has been sealed, can't they?"
Shengguang Bu Yu retorted.
And upon hearing those words, the somewhat worried expression on Shengguang Bai Mei's face genuinely eased a bit.
The Purple Flow Seal Lock was a remarkably powerful treasure.
It was designed specifically for sealing cultivation, and each Purple Flow Seal Lock could only be used once. Only the corresponding key could undo the seal.
In simple terms, while there were many Purple Flow Seal Locks in existence, each individual lock had only a single key that could open it.
For instance, the lock he had placed on Chu Feng — once he used the key to release it, that Purple Flow Seal Lock would be rendered useless, and Chu Feng's cultivation would naturally be restored.